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Tories and Lib Dems in poll wins Tories and Lib Dems making gains
(40 minutes later)
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have been making gains - and taken one council each - as the results of the English local elections come in.The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have been making gains - and taken one council each - as the results of the English local elections come in.
Elections for 27 county councils, seven unitary authorities and three mayors were held on Thursday, alongside the UK-wide European elections.Elections for 27 county councils, seven unitary authorities and three mayors were held on Thursday, alongside the UK-wide European elections.
The Lib Dems took control of Bristol, while the Tories won power at newly created Central Bedfordshire Council.The Lib Dems took control of Bristol, while the Tories won power at newly created Central Bedfordshire Council.
It is believed Labour have lost control of Staffordshire county council.It is believed Labour have lost control of Staffordshire county council.
The party had a majority of just one seat but had been in control since 1981. The party had a majority of just one seat but had been in control since 1981. The Conservatives have gained 11 seats.
And the Tories increased their majority on Lincolnshire County Council. 'Complete transformation'
The Tories have also gained six seats so far in Devon - where they need nine to take control of the council from the Liberal Democrats.
And the Tories have increased their majority on Lincolnshire County Council.
Counting is under way elsewhere.Counting is under way elsewhere.
Changes RESULTS SO FAR Bristol City: Lib Dems win controlStaffordshire County: Labour expects to lose controlCentral Bedfordshire: Tories take controlLincolnshire: Tories increase majority
In Bristol, the Lib Dems and Tories gained four seats each, all at the expense of Labour.In Bristol, the Lib Dems and Tories gained four seats each, all at the expense of Labour.
The Lib Dems have 36 councillors, giving them an overall majority on the city.The Lib Dems have 36 councillors, giving them an overall majority on the city.
Party leader Nick Clegg said this was the beginning of a "complete transformation of city politics".Party leader Nick Clegg said this was the beginning of a "complete transformation of city politics".
The Conservatives took power in the new Central Bedfordshire unitary authority, winning 54 seats on the council. The Lib Dems took 11, while Labour failed to win a seat.The Conservatives took power in the new Central Bedfordshire unitary authority, winning 54 seats on the council. The Lib Dems took 11, while Labour failed to win a seat.
'Stay away vote'
In Lincolnshire, the Tories gained 14 seats - to take their total number to 60 - while the number of Labour councillors fell from 19 to just four.In Lincolnshire, the Tories gained 14 seats - to take their total number to 60 - while the number of Labour councillors fell from 19 to just four.
Local government minister John Healey admitted it did not look good for Labour: "It was always going to be very tough for Labour in local council elections - I mean this is Tory England at the ballot box.Local government minister John Healey admitted it did not look good for Labour: "It was always going to be very tough for Labour in local council elections - I mean this is Tory England at the ballot box.
"And of course last time we had a national election at the same time so turnout is down and Labour always suffers from that. He's wrong, we have been out campaigning for the last few weeks as you would expect John Healey on John Prescott
"I think we will see a stay away Labour vote, I think we will see very mixed results across the country and I think we will see a high protest vote." He added: "I think we will see a stay away Labour vote, I think we will see very mixed results across the country and I think we will see a high protest vote."
He also dismissed criticism of the local government and European election campaign on John Prescott's blog.
The former deputy PM accused Harriet Harman and other ministers of running a "non campaign" and of being "resigned to defeat".
But Mr Healey told the BBC: "He's wrong, we have been out campaigning for the last few weeks as you would expect."
'Fed up'
He said campaigns in local areas had been "very strong" but had been "overwhelmed" by the expenses row and voters were using them as a referendum on personalities at Westminster.
But the Conservative frontbencher Liam Fox told the BBC: "It's very clear that the voters are sending out a clear signal - they are fed up with Labour."
He said it was too early to say how the Conservatives had done but said: "We are making big gains from Cumbria to Devon at the moment - some of those gains are really spectacular."
UKIP 'outrage' on folded ballots
In Hartlepool, independent Stuart Drummond was re-elected for a third term as mayor. The former Hartlepool United mascot - known as H'Angus the Monkey - first won office in 2002.In Hartlepool, independent Stuart Drummond was re-elected for a third term as mayor. The former Hartlepool United mascot - known as H'Angus the Monkey - first won office in 2002.
Euro elections
In the European Parliament elections, the UK Independence Party has complained about the way ballot papers were folded, while there were mixed reports of turnout.In the European Parliament elections, the UK Independence Party has complained about the way ballot papers were folded, while there were mixed reports of turnout.
The Electoral Commission was forced to issue an alert asking polling station staff not to fold ballot papers.The Electoral Commission was forced to issue an alert asking polling station staff not to fold ballot papers.
This followed complaints that parties listed lower on the alphabetical ballot papers were hidden when first unfolded.This followed complaints that parties listed lower on the alphabetical ballot papers were hidden when first unfolded.
A commission spokesman told the BBC it issued the alert after talking to returning officers and the UK Independence Party, who brought the issue to their attention.A commission spokesman told the BBC it issued the alert after talking to returning officers and the UK Independence Party, who brought the issue to their attention.
The European results will be declared on Sunday evening. They are delayed because voting is carried out in 27 EU countries over four days. The European results will be declared on Sunday from 2100 BST. They are delayed because voting is carried out in 27 EU countries over four days.
UKIP 'outrage' on folded ballots
The UK and the Netherlands voted on Thursday and will be followed by the Irish Republic on Friday. Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia go to the polls on Saturday and Italy and the Czech Republic over the weekend.
The other 18 EU countries will vote on Sunday, with the first results expected from 2100 BST.
European voters will be electing 736 MEPs - including 72 from the UK.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have six, four and three MEPs respectively, while the remaining 59 will represent nine different regions across England.
At the last European elections in 2004, turnout in the UK was 38% - across Europe the average was 45.5%.
There have been predictions turnout this time could be as low as 28%, while others believe it could be up to 50%.